Today we’d like to introduce you to Serena Taylor.
Hi Serena, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in the Seattle metropolitan area and attended Washington State University, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Communication. At the time, I had planned to stay an additional year to pursue a double major, but everything changed during a spring break trip to Miami. The moment I visited, I felt an immediate connection to the city and knew I wanted to build my life there. Before I had even landed back in Seattle, I was already scheduling a meeting with my college counselor to see if I had enough credits to graduate early—and thankfully, I did. It was difficult saying goodbye to my friends and changing my plans so suddenly, but I felt a strong pull toward Miami that I couldn’t ignore. I graduated a few weeks later, spent the summer preparing, and officially moved to Miami in September of 2021.
Fitness has always been a huge part of my life. I grew up playing competitive Volleyball throughout middle school and high school, competing on multiple club teams, and movement had always been second nature to me. But it wasn’t until moving to Miami that I discovered Pilates. I took my very first hot Pilates class at Mimi Yoga and instantly fell in love. What started as curiosity quickly became a true passion.
At the time, I was working remotely in insurance—a stable corporate job that paid the bills, but never felt aligned with who I was or what I wanted long term. I always felt a pull toward health and wellness and knew I wanted my work to feel more meaningful and purpose-driven. I considered different paths, including becoming an esthetician, but in April 2024 everything became clear. While scrolling on Instagram, I came across a mat Pilates teacher training led by Lyndsey Meade. The second I saw it, I knew that was exactly what I was supposed to do, and I signed up immediately.
Shortly after enrolling, my corporate company announced major layoffs—and I was one of the people affected. Surprisingly, I wasn’t upset. I actually felt relieved and excited. To me, it felt like confirmation from God that I was on the right path and needed to fully trust where this new chapter was taking me.
Once I completed my training, I threw myself into teaching. My very first teaching opportunity came from the building I was living in—Panorama Tower in Brickell—where the fitness director, Harvey, gave me a chance to teach a weekly Pilates class for residents. That first opportunity meant everything to me. It gave me the confidence to keep going, and from there I began steadily building my schedule and growing my experience. In September 2024, I also began my reformer certification with Reforming Pilates, which expanded my knowledge and strengthened my skills as an instructor.
One of the most special parts of my journey has been how full circle it has all come. I originally trained with Lyndsey through her mat certification, and today I’m proud to be a Master Instructor at BODY—the studio Lyndsey went on to open. It truly feels like such a small world, and in many ways like everything came full circle. What started as taking a chance on a training I found online eventually led me to finding a true home at the very studio created by the person who helped introduce me to this career.
Today, I’m fortunate to teach across several incredible studios in Miami, including BODY, Reforming Pilates, Active Soul Wellness, 727 Pilates Studio, and Anatomy. Teaching in a variety of spaces and communities has allowed me to grow tremendously as an instructor and connect with so many different clients, each with their own goals and journeys.
Over the last two years, I’ve learned that being an instructor is about more than teaching movement—it’s about helping people build confidence, connect to their bodies, and discover their own strength. It’s also about finding the right people and places that support your growth. Sometimes that takes trial and error, but eventually you find the community that feels like home.
It’s incredible to look back at where I was just a few years ago—working a corporate job, unsure of what was next—and compare it to where I am now. Becoming a full-time Pilates instructor was a huge leap of faith, but it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I truly feel that I’ve found my passion and purpose, and I’m so grateful I trusted that feeling and went for it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have definitely been struggles along the way. One of the biggest challenges in the beginning was simply finding studios willing to give me a chance as a brand-new instructor fresh out of training. I started my Pilates journey right as the industry was really booming in Miami—new studios were opening everywhere, certifications were becoming increasingly popular, and competition was high. Like many new instructors, I took every opportunity I could get, whether that meant teaching early 7 a.m. classes, weekends, or filling in wherever I was needed, just to gain experience and build my schedule.
What many people don’t realize is how much this job requires physically, mentally, and emotionally. Teaching a 50-minute class in a heated room while holding space for 25 clients, maintaining high energy, cueing movement clearly, and making sure everyone feels seen and supported is incredibly demanding. On the reformer side, it’s about ensuring every client is moving safely—whether it’s their first class, they’re working through an injury, or they need a more personalized approach. Beyond the physical instruction, there’s also an emotional side to the job. Clients often trust you with personal parts of their lives, and being able to support them through that is a responsibility I take seriously.
In the beginning, there were definitely moments when building a full-time schedule and making ends meet felt overwhelming, and there were times when the physical and emotional demands felt heavy. But the reward has always outweighed the struggle. Seeing clients grow stronger, more confident, and more connected to themselves—and knowing I get to be part of that—is what makes all of it worth it. Those challenges ultimately made me a stronger instructor and reminded me why I chose this path in the first place.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What sets me apart as an instructor is the balance I bring to my classes—I’ve often been told my teaching style is “sweet but spicy,” and I think that describes it perfectly. I’m encouraging and motivating, and I’ll absolutely push my clients to challenge themselves, but I also bring a calm energy into the room that helps people stay grounded and centered throughout class. My goal is always for clients to feel supported while still leaving class knowing they worked hard and felt that signature “Pilates burn.”
My teaching style is deeply rooted in the classical foundations of Pilates. You’ll always see classical Pilates movements in my classes because I believe strongly in honoring the method and its principles. At the same time, I love blending those traditional roots with contemporary movement, props, and upbeat music to create an experience that feels both intentional and energizing. Music is a big part of my classes—I spend a lot of time curating playlists because I want everyone to leave saying they connected with at least one song. I try to create a vibe that feels motivating, fun, and welcoming for everyone.
One of my favorite parts of teaching is actually the end of class—the stretch and cool down. After moving, challenging yourself, and pushing through discomfort, there’s something really special about that moment of recentering. I always want my clients to leave feeling better than when they walked in—not just physically stronger, but mentally lighter and more connected to themselves. I want every person to know they showed up, did something great for themselves, and should feel proud of that.
Lately, I’ve also been expanding my education in pre- and postnatal Pilates, which has become a true passion of mine. I currently teach prenatal and postnatal reformer at One Tribe through Reforming Pilates, and recently deepened my knowledge through BirthFit training with Birkleigh. Supporting women through pregnancy and postpartum has become incredibly meaningful to me, and as someone who hopes to become a mother one day, it’s an area I feel especially connected to and excited to continue growing in.
At the core of it all, what sets me apart is that I’ve stayed deeply connected to the roots and purpose of Pilates. In a world where fitness can sometimes become performative or overly focused on intensity and competition, I’ve stayed committed to some of the true principles of Pilates—precision and control, helping people feel better in their bodies. If my clients leave class feeling stronger, more capable, and more connected to themselves, then I feel like I’ve done my job. As Joseph Pilates famously said, “You are only as young as your spine is flexible,” and that philosophy has always stayed with me. For me, Pilates is about longevity, strength, and helping people move well for life.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Staying active on Instagram and TikTok has definitely helped me stay connected to new trends and conversations within the Pilates community. I love creating and sharing content on my social platforms—not only to engage with my clients and followers, but also to give people a glimpse into my classes and my day-to-day life in health and wellness. It’s been such a fun way to build community and connect with people beyond the studio walls.
At the same time, I think it’s important to balance staying current with staying true to the foundations of Pilates. One resource that has been incredibly valuable to me, especially as I was starting out, is Pilates Anytime. It’s an amazing tool for continuing education, learning from experienced instructors, and finding creative inspiration when class planning. I believe continuing to learn and evolve as an instructor is so important, and I’m always looking for ways to grow while staying grounded in the roots of the method
Pricing:
- Personal one on one session – $150
- Average studio drop in – $35/$40
- Studio memberships – $200/$300
- Special events (bachelorettes, bdays, etc) – $350 ++++
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenaleighpilates
